an online magazine from eyeway.org

issue 9 march-april 2006
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sections in this issue: by george | focus | feature | perspectives | profile | headlines | health scan

Two things to remember:

1. You don't conserve vision by not using it.
You cannot "save" vision; it must be used to be effective. Moreover, it must be practiced to become most efficient. The most critical time for visual "practice" is in the first few years of life, when the eye-brain connections are being made. Early intervention activities during those early years can help establish good visual patterns that utilise maximum available vision.

2. The early years – from birth to age 6 – are especially critical developmental years for visually impaired children.
Although there is increasing research to support the importance of the early years for all children, visually impaired youngsters are at even greater risk because developmental delays can hinder the entire learning experience of a visually impaired child. It is crucial that visual impairment specialists, parents and early childhood personnel work cooperatively with young visually impaired children, in order to build the skills and provide the experiences that will make best use of the potential in these children. (Occupational therapists or physical therapists may also be part of the critical team.)

(Source: www.tsbvi.edu/Education/infant/index.htm)

Related stories:
Parenting with vision
Dealing with your child's visual disability

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